Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
(NSAIDS) and Ulcers

Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

What are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed medications for the inflammation of arthritis and other body tissues, such as in
tendinitis and bursitis. The also
are used for minor aches and pains.

NSAIDs are available by prescription or without a prescription (over-the-counter). They also
are ingredients in many over the counter medications used for
colds and minor aches and
pain. They are administered orally as capsules, tablets, liquids, or by
injection (ketorolac
, Toradol). Although not included in this review, NSAIDs also are used as eye drops for eye inflammation (for example, ketorolac tromethamine [Acular]).

NSAIDs are taken regularly by approximately 33 million Americans and over 30 billion doses of NSAIDs are consumed annually in the United States.